Being Mom

One of the joys of our job is to get to housesit for some of our board families.  This week we are not only housesitting, but we are also playing parents to 3 boys. (Trip 8th grade, Caleb 6th grade, and Eli 4 years old).  These boys are already like family to us and we are having a blast spending time with them.

I did not realize how difficult it was to be a parent to multiples (really to any as I don't have any of my own children :) ).  Its a miracle that parents can get 3+ kids around to all the activities that they need to attend on time.  Its almost as though you have to be in two places at once.    And then you have all the curveballs that life throws at you.  Its quite a job.  If you are not a parent, (or if you are)  here is a glimpse into how our first day of being mom and dad has gone..

   This morning we woke up at 6am because we needed to make sure the boys were up and ready to go to school by 6:45.  The older boys were easy because they did most of it themselves.  The hard part was getting them to stop watching youtube videos and get in the car.  We drove carpool and got in the car with this sweet other kid who wanted to make sure I knew exactly where I was going... ie.  He gave me directions all the way to school.  Quite funny :)

Then when I got home, it was time to wake Eli up.  When I went in his room there was an overwhelming smell.  A smell that I had not smelled in ages, and it was not a fond memory.  As I looked over at Eli's bed, there was a circle around his whole body.  Eli had peed last night.  I got him up and needless to say he was not a happy camper.  We cried about going to school, we cried about needing to take a bath, we cried about which clothes we wanted to wear.   As soon as we were finished cleaning him up and putting some clothes on him, it seemed as though nothing had ever happened.  Eli was ready to play, eat breakfast and head off to school.

After I dropped Eli off at school, I went to teach Zumba.  We had 12 people in class and we had a great workout.  Today was my first time teaching, so I was a bit nervous, but I had a blast.

At 3pm we went to Eli's school musical show.  Eli is in preschool and so you can imagine how cute it was.  Eli had a solo.  He said " a bike and a bed and a car that's bright red".   I was such a proud surrogate mom when he said it without hesitation or flaw.

Tonight holds more carpooling to Jiu Jiutsu, small group and then pickups.   Bathtime, bedtime and a book we are trying to read all together named Jotham.

Mom's you are my heros!  You are amazing... i don't know how you do it :)

Newfound Relaxation

After my 5 years in the back country of the Applachian Mountains, I learned a few hippy tricks along the way.  I don't have dreadlocks, nor do I manufacture moonshine.   I don't walk barefoot everywhere, or wear floral print items.   The one thing I have retained is the love for hammocks.  There is nothing quite like swinging in your hammock on a warm sunny day with the breeze in your hair.

The other day, with a temperature of 73 degrees and a cool breeze, Luke and I headed to the local park with your hammocks and Nova (our trusty dog).

The rest of the afternoon consisted of swinging between two trees, reading my current book " The Lost Symbol " by Dan Brown and my wonderful dog and husband to keep me company.

Maybe I have finally found my one relaxing spot.

Early Christmas Gift

I have received many a Christmas gift in my life.  Sometimes you are given a gift that has a lot of emotional  value to it.  Sometimes you are just given a gift of something that you would love more than anythings else in the world.  Many families share heirlooms and pass them on at Christmas.  All of these are wonderful, but there is nothing like receiving a gift that was personalized just for you.

One of the kids in our ministry got us a Christmas gift with his own money.  Here is what he got us:

He designed the shirts himself and payed for them to be made.  You better believe this was the greatest gift anyone has ever bought me.  I feel honored and humbled that a 6th grader thought enough of me and my husband to spend his own money to buy us this incredible gift!

Once again I am reminded how amazing kids can be.  They constantly remind me how selfish I am and how much more I need to grow.  How much thankfulness I have lost along the way and need to regain.  

Merry Christmas to you too Wes.